Isaiah 66

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 66

1¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

2For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

3He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.

5¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

6A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut [the womb]? saith thy God.

10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon [her] sides, and be dandled upon [her] knees.

13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

14And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.

15¶ For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

18For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

20And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

21And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.

22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah 66 opens with the LORD asserting His transcendence, declaring heaven His throne and earth His footstool, and stating His regard for the humble and contrite, not man-made temples. He condemns hypocritical worship and promises swift, miraculous restoration and comfort for Zion. The chapter concludes with a vision of fiery judgment for the wicked, the gathering of all nations to worship Him, and the eternal abhorrence for transgressors.

Medium Summary

The LORD begins by asserting His supreme sovereignty, proclaiming that no man-made dwelling can contain Him, and His true regard is for the humble and contrite in spirit. He vehemently rejects the empty rituals and defiled sacrifices of those who choose their own abominable ways, promising judgment upon them. In contrast, God assures comfort and vindication for those who tremble at His word and are persecuted for His name's sake. A miraculous, sudden birth of a nation is foretold for Zion, bringing immense joy and peace like a river, with the glory of the Gentiles flowing in. The chapter then describes the LORD's coming in fiery judgment against His enemies and those who practice idolatry. Finally, it reveals a future where God gathers all nations to witness His glory, sending messengers to declare His fame and bringing scattered brethren back to Jerusalem, even appointing priests and Levites from among these nations, establishing a new creation where all flesh will worship Him, while transgressors face eternal abhorrence.

Long Summary

Isaiah 66 commences with the LORD's declaration of His boundless majesty, asserting that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool, thereby questioning the need for a physical house built for Him. He reveals His true preference for the poor, the contrite in spirit, and those who tremble at His word, rather than outward displays of piety. The chapter then sternly condemns the hypocritical and defiled sacrifices of those who have chosen their own abominable ways, equating their offerings to acts of murder or idol worship, and promises to bring delusions and fears upon them for their disobedience. Conversely, God offers comfort and vindication to His faithful servants who have been hated and cast out for His name's sake, assuring them that He will appear to their joy while their adversaries face shame and recompense. A miraculous and swift birth of a nation is prophesied for Zion, likened to a woman delivering a child before experiencing pain, emphasizing God's power to bring forth His purposes. Jerusalem is called to rejoice, as the LORD promises to extend peace to her like a river and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream, comforting her people as a mother comforts her child. This restoration will cause hearts to rejoice and bones to flourish, demonstrating God's hand toward His servants and His indignation toward His enemies. The LORD's coming is depicted with fire and chariots like a whirlwind, bringing furious anger and fiery rebuke upon all flesh, with many slain. Specifically, those who sanctify themselves in pagan gardens, eating swine's flesh and other abominations, will be consumed. God declares His knowledge of their works and thoughts, announcing His intention to gather all nations and tongues to see His glory. He will set a sign and send survivors to distant nations who have not heard of Him, to declare His glory among the Gentiles. These nations will bring the scattered brethren as an offering to Jerusalem, and God will even select some from among them to serve as priests and Levites. The chapter concludes with the promise that just as the new heavens and new earth will remain, so too will God's people endure. From new moon to new moon and sabbath to sabbath, all flesh will come to worship before the LORD, while the carcases of those who transgressed against Him will be a perpetual abhorring, their worm not dying and their fire not quenched.

Core Concepts

  • God's TranscendenceThe LORD declares that heaven is His throne and earth His footstool, emphasizing His omnipresence and that no man-made temple can contain Him. This highlights His supreme sovereignty over all creation.
  • True Worship vs. HypocrisyGod rejects outward, defiled rituals and sacrifices, equating them to abominations. He instead looks to those with a poor and contrite spirit who tremble at His word, valuing sincerity over mere ceremony.
  • Zion's Miraculous RestorationThe chapter prophesies a sudden and effortless birth of a nation for Zion, bringing forth children before travail. This signifies a swift and divine intervention to restore and multiply His people.
  • Divine JudgmentThe LORD is depicted coming with fire and chariots like a whirlwind to render His anger and rebuke upon the wicked and those who practice idolatry. This judgment will be comprehensive, consuming transgressors and their abominable practices.
  • Universal Worship and GatheringGod declares His intention to gather all nations and tongues to see His glory, sending messengers to distant lands. Ultimately, all flesh will come to worship Him in Jerusalem, and even Gentiles will be appointed as priests.
  • New Heavens and New EarthThe permanence of God's people and their name is likened to the new heavens and new earth that He will make. This signifies an enduring covenant and a renewed creation where His presence is central.
  • Eternal ConsequencesThe chapter concludes with a stark image of the carcases of transgressors, whose worm shall not die and whose fire shall not be quenched. This serves as a perpetual abhorring and a warning of everlasting judgment for those who defy God.